{"id":4730,"date":"2020-01-01T00:33:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-01T09:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/?p=4730"},"modified":"2022-01-04T20:44:38","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T05:44:38","slug":"fanciful-garden-design-trends-of-2020-and-beyond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/fanciful-garden-design-trends-of-2020-and-beyond\/","title":{"rendered":"Fanciful Garden Design Trends of 2020 and Beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Garden Design Trends of 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden”<\/p>-Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of “The Secret garden”<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This Spring (2020) a new movie version of “The Secret Garden” will be in theaters across the country. It’s based on the classic 1911 children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett<\/a>. While the story has very little to do with actual gardening, what it does<\/em> do is ignite our imagination. That’s significant! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It whets the appetite for creative places in our own backyards, even if not “enchanted”. That’s why I think we’re almost guaranteed to see a renewed interest in gardening and garden design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, if the garden industry is on their toes, it ought to be well prepared for those clamoring for secret gardens of their own. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still a place for formal, manicured lawns. But the tide is shifting. Instead, more fanciful and imaginative backyard escapes are showing up in garden design trends of 2020 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garden design trends of 2020<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Big Picture<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s more interesting, I think, is what these trends convey.  According to Houzz, people are coming to view their outdoor areas as an extension of their living space. Which, by the way, is a great idea for making smaller homes live larger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to entertaining, there’s a desire for full-sized outdoor kitchens, fire pits and pergolas. That translates to more comfortable, better designed outdoor furniture.  Porch swings have a new elegance. Now, there’s full-sized swing<\/em> bed<\/em>s on the market. The backyard can totally be a pleasant, restful place to hang out.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the backyard, HGTV points to the trend of working tidy vegetable gardens and fruit trees into the landscape. Attractive water features are available across all budgets.
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For the kid at heart, some home owners are having fun building “she sheds” and adult tree houses in the backyard. (see my article on Hideaway Havens for Adults<\/a>) The trend is gaining such momentum that even big box hardware stores like Lowes offer up a version of what they call a “she shed”\/Lowes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interest in gardens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What gets me really excited, though, is that people are interested in gardens again–not just for growing veggies–but as a destination.  A welcoming and inspiring place to spend time.  And they want to create that environment right in their own back yards!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So much so, that new terminology is emerging to describe this behavior. “Staycation” (conjunction of “stay” and “vacation”) and “holistay” (“holiday” and “stay”) are modern terms that refer to families and individuals who are scaling back with travel. Many simply enjoy leisure activities within driving distance that doesn’t require overnight accommodation. While others are investing in more extravagant backyards and patios for taking it easy. They want to create the “feel” of a traditional vacation while remaining at home. (Source: Wikipedia)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Caption: If this was my place, I’d stay home, too!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What defines a “trend?”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I hope you’ll recognize some of the garden design trends of 2020 on this list. They’ve been on the horizon, but are now being more fully embraced.  It takes awhile–years even– for homeowners to be introduced to new concepts and ideas.  Something they see in a magazine or at a Home and Garden show. Or even on-line sites like Pinterest.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, you may or may not be surprised to learn that many of the garden design trends we’re seeing in the United States started over in England!  (or “across the pond” as the saying goes). They are definitely trend-setters. For that reason, one of my sources for information is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, though, when it comes to garden design trends, I consider three criteria: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Something that’s been gradually developing over a period of time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) There’s a favorable response. There’s something captivating about it that appeals to folks, not just artistically, but on an emotional level.  And, so people begin to get a vision for the what they’d like to do in the near future. It’s the beginning of a planning process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) And thirdly, gaining momentum. That’s when homeowners actually begin incorporating the ‘look’ into their own backyards to one degree or another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It trickles down to the hardware stores. They want to meet the demand when DIYers come in looking for specific products. Then there’s outdoor furniture manufacturers, producers of garden art, and local landscapers anticipating requests from their customers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Niche garden design trends of 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Some smaller “niche” trends hang around the peripherals of the larger trends. They may not be “new” but are going strong in 2020. Take re-purposing and re-cycling for example. It’s huge! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Internet site Pinterest is full of clever ways to turn milk jugs into planters and tea cups into bird feeders. And you better believe that Flea Markets, Re-Build stores and your local Picker are very aware of these trends to market their goods. These days, funky mirrors, vintage metal bed frames, and old doors and windows may very well end up in the garden! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, here are my insights into the most prominent and fanciful trends I see moving forward into 2020 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garden Design Trends for 2020<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Natural Landscaping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Natural Landscaping<\/strong>\u00a0introduces elements of nature into the landscape\u00a0to create a more natural setting. It’s quite a rugged and rustic “look” akin to bringing a National Park into your backyard. It’s boulders, ferns, dry stream beds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people even incorporating logs or mossy tree stumps into the mix. See my FULL article on Natural Landscaping<\/em> Here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The informal planting of flowers and shrubs is an attempt to mimic the random spontaneity of the environment.  Natural landscaping favors meadows over manicured grass lawns. It’s not just for looks, either. The idea here is that clover and other wildflowers attract honey bees and other pollinating insects. They, in turn, attract birds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Wildlife Federation offers a program to homeowners that lets them become a certified wildlife habitat<\/a>. It’s pretty easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What can we learn from natural landscaping?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In my research, it would seem as though any “back to nature” trend is directly related to the state of our society. More technology, more commuting, more building, more noise intruding into daily life. Not everyone can take a drive in the country to soak in the beauty of the natural environment. So the answer is to bring the country to the outdoor spaces around our home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural landscaping, when well implemented, is absolutely stunning. It’s not hard to see why it is gaining in popularity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xeriscapes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

 Xeriscape<\/strong> is a term that refers to landscaping with water conservation in mind. Most plants, trees and flowers we have in our yards require a lot of water. Watering is also hard work. Fortunately, you don’t have to live in the desert to enjoy unique, drought-tolerant species that require less water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some areas of the U.S. are Water Conservation Districts.  That makes gardening with some of the more popular varieties–including lawns– a bit more challenging. As a result, various agencies are helping homeowners and landscape professionals find unique, interesting and colorful vegetation that looks great together, but also doesn’t need as much water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xeriscaping also encourages the use of plants that are native to a region.  They thrive in their natural habitat without requiring a lot of specialized care.  Perfect for anyone who doesn’t like to fuss with a yard or garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of local plants helps to propagate and preserve these native species.  Particularly those that have developed certain qualities that are distinct to its region.  
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New Perennial Movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Caption: Lupine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is another exquisite “natural design” movement merging ecology, architecture and natural landscaping. Most sources credit Dutch plantsman and designer Piet Oudolf with starting the movement. Or perhaps re-starting it depending on who you talk to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s labeled “the new perennial movement” for promoting more naturalized, meadow-inspired landscapes in both residential and industrial settings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a short, 6 min feature from just last year that captures the heart<\/em> of what it’s all about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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